The Federal Government has commenced preliminary consultations towards negotiating a new national minimum wage as part of efforts to address the economic hardship confronting Nigerian workers.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a capacity-building workshop organised for labour correspondents.
Shoretire said the government had yet to announce a formal timetable for the negotiations but confirmed that background discussions were already ongoing among relevant stakeholders.
He explained that the process would be made public when the government reaches the appropriate stage to involve the media and disclose details of what would be proposed and negotiated.
“We are yet to announce the timetable for that, but background discussions are already ongoing.
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👉 JOIN WHATSAPP CHANNEL“When it’s time to get the press involved in what has been proposed and what is being negotiated, it will be revealed to you,” he said.
Fresh Wage Negotiations Underway
The development comes amid renewed pressure from organised labour for a review of the current national minimum wage of N70,000 approved by the Federal Government in 2024.
The existing wage was introduced following negotiations between the government, employers and labour representatives, replacing the previous minimum wage arrangement.
However, labour unions have continued to raise concerns over the purchasing power of workers amid increases in the cost of essential goods and services.
The unions are now demanding a substantial increase in the minimum wage, with calls for the figure to be raised to N500,000.
Labour Also Wants Wage Award
Beyond the proposed review of the minimum wage, organised labour is demanding an immediate wage award for workers to cushion the impact of the prevailing economic pressures.
The demand is based on concerns that workers’ incomes have not kept pace with the rising cost of transportation, food, housing and other household necessities.
The unions have also linked the wage question to the cost of petrol, arguing that higher fuel prices have contributed significantly to increased living expenses for workers.
As part of their demands, labour groups are calling on the government to reduce the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre.
Government Engages Affected Sectors
Shoretire also disclosed that the Federal Government was engaging workers in sectors where disputes over salaries, allowances and other employment-related matters remained unresolved.
According to him, the ongoing engagements are part of broader efforts to address outstanding labour issues and maintain dialogue between the government and workers.
The government’s approach comes as discussions over workers’ earnings remain a major issue in the relationship between the authorities and organised labour.
The outcome of the consultations on the new minimum wage is expected to involve negotiations among the government, labour representatives and other relevant stakeholders.
For now, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has not announced a specific date for the commencement of formal negotiations or disclosed the figure the government may present during the process.
Shoretire’s disclosure, however, indicates that preparatory discussions have begun ahead of the formal process that will determine the next national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
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